Nobel Prize Medicine....

I have a disease. If you're reading this blog, you probably do too. It's called the "I worry" disease. I worry about my health. I worry about my husband's health. I worry about my kids' health. I worry about my grandparents' health. I worry about the overweight lady in the next booth over at the restaurant who's eating a huge plate of onion rings while drinking an extra large coke's health.

I worry about heart disease. Heart disease runs in my family. For me, heart disease prevention is a top priority. For this reason, I run. For this reason, I add strange concoctions of garbanzo beans, fruits and veggies to my kids' pancakes. For this reason, I jump for joy every time my dad calls me to report how many calories he's burned for the week (according to his heart rate monitor). Yes--he's even more obsessed than I am. I really want to be healthy, and I really want my family to be healthy. Cardiovascular disease claims over 900,000 lives each year in the United States...it's the number one killer! I don't want it to take me or anyone I know!

A few months ago, my parents started talking about an arginine supplement they'd started taking. I thought it sounded good, but didn't see how it would benefit me. That is, until they started telling me more. My mom, who's been working out regularly for months without seeing results, started losing weight. My dad, who's been on medication for high blood pressure for quite a while, was able to go off his medication!

I wanted to learn more, so I've done some research. ProArgi-9 Plus is based on research that won the Nobel Prize. In his book NO More Heart Disease, Dr. Ignarro states that by restoring normal production and activity of nitric oxide in your body, you can "lower your blood pressure, improve your circulation, delay the onset or progression of atherosclerosis, and reduce your likelihood of (and possibly prevent) a heart attack or a stroke."

Supposedly, no matter your age or physical condition, taking steps to increase your nitric oxide production (which the proargi-9 supplement helps accomplish), you can either prevent or begin to reverse cardiovascular disease!

About a month ago, I decided to give it a try. I would like to think I'm a pretty healthy individual, so I didn't know if I would feel any different. And I can't say it's been life-altering for me. But I definitely have more energy. After a hard workout, I haven't been as sore. I haven't been Monster Mom as often. I'm sleeping better. Several small changes=happier me. I'm sold.

If you're as intrigued as I was, read on. Here are a few more possible benefits that this amino acid may provide (and why I recommend considering adding arginine to your wellness plan)...

1. Arginine may protect against heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. It may also slow the aging process. Arginine is 1,000 times more powerful than any naturally occurring antioxidant in the body.
2. Arginine increases the production of nitric oxide by the endothelium. This keeps your arteries more elastic, which helps with blood flow and blood pressure.
3. It can improve memory...especially long-term memory!
4. Since many complications associated with diabetes are related to the vascular system, it may help with it's treatment and prevention. It may also help regulate insulin secretion in the pancreas.
5. It improves prostate function.
6. It boosts human growth hormone (HGH) production to normal levels.
7. It helps the immune system.
8. It helps lower LDL and serum cholesterol levels.
9. It can improve male sexual performance!
10. It's anticoagulant abilities can reduce clotting, thus lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke!
11. It reduces pregnancy-related high blood pressure!
12. It helps asthma (and other lung disorders) by opening pulmonary pathways.
13. It helps prevent and heal hemorrhoids by relaxing overly tight sphincter muscles! (Yay!)
14. It promotes lean muscle mass and preserves bone density. USEFUL COMPONENT IN WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND STRENGTH TRAINING!
15. Helps speed up wound healing and recovery after surgery.
16. Helps improve athletic performance!
17. It may prevent and possibly reverse the effects of osteoporosis by helping increase bone density!
18. It has been used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Phew...this isn't even a complete list.

I'm not about to stop worrying (it's a disease, remember?). And I don't think any supplement should replace healthy habits. But I'm sleeping a little better (literally) knowing that we actually can have more control over our heart health than I realized!

I'm still learning about this "miracle" drug. If any of you want to come learn with me, let me know. If you're in the Salt Lake area, I'm going to a meeting Wednesday night at 6:30 pm to hear more about the benefits. Come with me...I'd love to have a friend! Let me know in the comments......

More Worms For Dinner, and other updates...

In case you were worried, we all survived the worms-in-the-brown-rice disaster. Stie's comment that she's "just a good tape worm away from reaching [her] goal weight" would have been a happy ending to the story (in my case...not in my pregnant friend's)! Maybe I'll buy some more Great Value brown rice in hopes for some sort of fat-eating parasite! But all was not lost, and my dear friend Evelyn and I have shared many a laugh because of the unfortunate event.

First, I took over a peace offering:And Evelyn brought over the BEST "wormy" Chicken, Bacon and Ranch Pizza EVER. What a nice friend for working so hard to make me feel OK after feeding her rotten rice! As for the rest of my silly experiments, going 'poo-free is actually going well! The baking soda wash makes my hair squeaky clean, and the vinegar rinse makes it super soft! I have super fine hair, so I'm trying to adjust the amounts to see what works best. Too much vinegar makes it too soft and straight. By focusing only on the ends with the vinegar rinse, everything seems fine. Has anyone else dared to give it a try?

My cousin mentioned to me that she actually washes her hair with egg whites! In college, I used to curl my hair with an egg-white mousse, but I've never tried washing it that way! Michelle adds her own concoction of good smells with cloves, mint, crushed flowers, etc. Who knew eggs could be so versatile! The baking soda thing's working for me, but maybe I'll get brave someday and give this one a try!

The other experiment--waking up early to work out--is going quite well. I'm definitely more tired. And I'm for sure suffering from sleep-deprivation-induced-grumpiness. But I love being done with my workout by 7 am. More on this later.

Are you experimenting with anything? (Brown rice meal worms, anyone?) Let us know what you've tried and what works/doesn't work for you!

Side note to the egg-white mousse thing: After my mission, I was at a friendly gathering where my pre-mission-boyfriend was also present with his wife. I'd used egg whites in my hair that night to give it the crunchy-curly look (I know...so hot). My ex's wife was having a major allergic reaction for some reason, and they weren't sure why, so they left early. Come to find out, she was allergic to eggs, and my hair had caused the reaction! Good way to put an end to an otherwise awkward evening! Go me!

Healthy Dinner Exchange Gone Bad

I think I just threw up in my mouth. If I didn't know the reason for the nausea, I might think I was pregnant. But I don't normally actually get sick when I'm pregnant. No, I feel much worse.

I'll tell you why...but I might seriously lose some friends. Actually, I think I sort of already have.

Crap.

About two years ago, a friend and I started a dinner exchange. I would cook for her family one night, and she would cook for us another night. I loved the exchange so much, I asked another good friend if she'd be interested in joining. I trusted these girls...their taste in food, their cleanliness in preparation, their healthy eating habits. Plus, they are really good friends. I knew they would understand the occasional breakfast-for-dinner nights on the days I just didn't have as much time as I thought.

But we've been on a little dinner-exchange-hiatus. For me, summer happened. A big move happened for another. And a complicated-bedrest-sort-of-pregnancy happened for the third. But as fall approached, I was excited to start back up. The first friend is still mid-move, but the other friend is back on her feet and wanted to exchange. Woo hoo! One less night to worry about what the heck is for dinner!

Today, the first day of Fall, was the first day of the exchange. I made Moroccan Chicken (the winner of last year's healthy recipe contest) with brown rice, and delivered it to my friend. I sat down with my kids, and they amazingly ate every last bite. As I was clearing the dishes, my good friend--who'd just eaten my dinner--called.

"Hi!" I exclaimed.

"Hey!" she replied. "Dinner was really good. I need to get that recipe from you."

"Oh good! I'm glad you liked it. I had to change it up a bit. I added black and kidney beans, and did green peppers instead of red."

"Yeah...it was so good."

"I also added some tomatoes that I canned last week with my mother-in-law."

"Oh...that made it really good!"

My dear friend had me feeling pretty darn good about the dinner I'd delivered. She's really nice that way. But before hanging up, she had a little more to say.

"Ummm....Robyn?"

"What's up?"

"You might want to check your rice."

"Why?"

"Well...there are little worm things in it."

"(Silence)"

"It's not a big deal! I didn't even notice until I was almost done. I figure a little extra protein never hurts anybody. I just wanted to let you know in case you haven't fed your kids yet...you could make some new rice."

At that point, I headed over to the stove to check out the rice. I couldn't believe it. She had to be mistaken. Brown rice has lots of weird looking grainy things, right? Plus...it was stored in the fridge! But to my dismay, there one was. Some sort of dead meal worm right in the brown rice that I'd just eaten, my kids had just eaten, and my neighbors had just eaten!

I am still so grossed out, I can hardly stand it. And I actually can't believe I'm blogging about it. If you hear of the strange deaths of two neighboring families in your local news, you'll know why! And don't be surprised if I don't invite you to dinner anytime soon. I'll be busy throwing all our food away! Gross!

Giving Shampoo-Free a Try!

Remember when I debated whether or not I should wash my hair everyday? I tried only washing it every other day for about a week, and was too grossed out by the post-workout-sweaty-hair, so I went back to my daily shampoo and conditioner nice-smelling ritual.

I still know that I definitely need to do something to cleanse my hair after working out each day. I was just born with sweaty genes...and sweat literally pours out of my hair follicles when I work out.

Lately, I've been reading around the web about something completely foreign to me--going completely 'poo-free. (I know...can you believe I just called it that?) I'm intrigued...and I can't believe I'm actually considering trying it.

I have a good friend who hasn't touched a bottle of shampoo for months. Every time she talks about her hair-non-cleansing ritual, I smile and nod, and think to myself, "I'm glad it works for you, but there ain't NO WAY this girl's giving up her shampoo". But then I did something else I never thought I would do...I switched to cloth diapers. And I actually love it!

So after reading on simplemom (and about 10 other blogs) about her experience going 'poo-free (I laugh every time I say that), I decided to give it a try...starting tomorrow.

Wait...before you unsubscribe to my blog, hear me out.

If I look and smell disgusting, and absolutely hate it, there's no harm in going back to shampoo, right?

Here are a few intriguing reasons simplemom gives for cleaning your hair without shampoo.

1. Shampoo is a detergent. Sure it cleans your hair, but it also strips your hair of all the natural oils produced by your body. It's harsh stuff...we're essentially washing our hair with the same stuff we use to wash our dishes!
2. Shampoo is full of all sorts of chemicals. If you're trying hard to eat natural, whole foods, why would you put something on your extremely porous skin (and scalp) through which harmful substances can enter the bloodstream? Most shampoos contain mineral oil--a byproduct when gasoline is distilled from crude oil. Mineral oil (and hundreds of other products) are added to shampoo to coat the strands and give the hair an artificial shine. Mineral oil can't absorb into the skin, so it creates a barrier on the scalp preventing oil from being released. You then need MORE shampoo to wash away the built-up grease. Yes...my scalp is definitely addicted to shampoo! (And it needs an artificial protectant--conditioner--to combat the stripping of oils!)

I'm sure there are hundreds of other reasons shampoo isn't really good for you. And while one of my favorite smells in the world is a nice, clean head of shampoo'd hair, I'm willing to give going 'poo-free a try.

Here's what I'm going to do:

1. Pour 1 Tbsp baking soda into a little 8 oz. squeeze bottle, then add a cup of water. I'll give it a good shake to dissolve the baking soda. When I'm in the shower, I'm going to squeeze the solution onto my scalp, I'm going to rub it in, let it sit for a minute or two, then rinse it out. Baking soda is gentle, it’s the weakest alkaline, and it supposedly removes chemical buildup from the hair.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar--which I've been know to drink for it's health benefits--is the next key ingredient in the 'poo-free cleansing ritual. The standard recipe is also 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar to 1 Cup Water. After washing and rinsing with the baking soda mixture, focus on the ends and apply the vinegar mixture. Apple cider vinegar is a mild acidic, so it works to counteract the baking soda, and supposedly acts as a great replacement for conditioner. It detangles the hair follicles, seals the cuticles, and balances the hair’s pH balance.

For more trouble-shooting tips, check out simplemom's post. Until I've actually tried it, I can't be held responsible!

Have any of you gone 'poo-free? Are any of you willing to try this with me? Are any of you going to stop calling me friend if I stop washing my hair? I'll let you know next week how it goes...wish me luck!

Life AFTER the Freshman 15

It's no secret that I hate missing a workout. I'm the type who plans my day around my workouts, not my workouts around my day. Signing The Boy up for preschool really threw me for a loop. I had to re-arrange my workout schedule to accommodate his new schedule. Preschool would not change her schedule for me. (Rude, no?) In the normal, not-stay-at-home-mom world, people have to actually arrange workouts around other commitments. What a concept!

Working out has just become a normal, routine part of my daily life. It has been for several years, but it wasn't always. Though I've always enjoyed physical activity, before joining the gym after gaining the Missionary-Woman-30 (on top of the Freshwoman 15 I'd gained three years earlier), I was definitely just a sporadic worker-outer. My daily trek to and from campus had to count for something, right?

I have fond memories of college (and of Finnish pastries on my mission). From those years, however, I have actually very few memories of working out. My freshman year, some roommates and I joined a kickboxing class. We laughed at each other as we fumbled our way through it, but if something more fun was happening on kickboxing night, we'd skip the workout in a heartbeat. My first date with my now-husband was actually a 3-mile run (that almost killed me) as he was training for his first marathon. But we all know that the run wasn't just a run. Any exercise I did in college was more for the social benefits than the physical.

If I could go back, would I work out more? No way! I'm glad I had that time in life to socialize, be crazy, eat junk food, and occasionally fit in a workout with friends. I was in a completely different season of life, with very little worry about my physical health. I'm glad I wasn't obsessing over every slice of pizza-brownie-vending machine purchase. I enjoyed life. I was happy. I honestly barely noticed that the pounds were creeping on. I was too busy!

My life is completely different now than it was back then. I had so many outlets as a student that I really didn't need to set aside ME time. Everything in my life was about ME. I had no idea how different life as a mom would be. I only thought about dressing my perfectly behaved children in the cutest clothes, and wearing them on my hip as I would wear any new accessory. I didn't realize that in reality, NOTHING would be about ME anymore. Honestly, my workout is just about the only thing. So even if it means waking up at the crack o' dawn to get it, I'm going to get it. I can't live without it. As my kids get older, and my schedule more and more is merely a reflection of their schedule, I will still find a way to fit exercise in. I have to.

When I joined the gym 6 1/2 years ago, I knew I was making a lifetime commitment. So now that life has changed (as it always does), I'm not going to let the routine slip. Sure, I'm changing from working my life around my workouts. But I knew that one day my kids would start growing up, and I'd have to fit my workouts around my life. And I guess I'm OK with that. As I learned in college, living is really what it's all about. Exercising just helps me live better.

Why I Love Races

Tomorrow morning I am running in the 3rd annual memorial 5K for my husband's grandpa who passed away in 2006. It is just a family 5K that family members can run/walk each year to kick off the family reunion festivities. Best part: it's free, and still gives you that good-amazing-end-of-the-race-finish-line feeling. Can't wait.

I was reflecting the other day on just how much money my husband and I have spent on running races over the years. This year alone has cost us several hundred dollars (not including gas and hotel costs for the out-of-town ones.) But honestly, it's money that I wouldn't want to spend on anything else. I LOVE races. I'll tell you why:

1. Races give me a reason to run. It's a lot easier to get out and run long distances when I know that I'm working towards something. (i.e. working towards not collapsing on the course!)
2. Races are a concrete way to track my running progress.
3. Race-day endorphins are addicting!
4. Crossing the finish line--no matter how long the race--puts me on a high for days!
5. Being a runner in a race is a lot more fun than being a spectator!
6. I love being surrounded by hundreds of other runners headed for the same finish line!
7. I. Love. Running.
8. Lots of people don't care about it, but I love the special shirt I get just for running the race!
9. I love finish line treats!
10. I love the finisher medal.
11. I love feeling like I actually accomplished what I set out to do.
12. I love seeing my cute family at the end!
13. Finish lines ALWAYS make me cry.

After the 5K tomorrow, I have one last race to finish the season. My husband and I (along with 10 others) are running in the Las Vegas Ragnar Relay. I can't wait!

If you've never run a race, start with a 5K. You just might cross the finish line and go sign up for a marathon!

Have you ever run a race? Are you addicted, or did you swear off running forever?

For more fit-me-running tips, go here!

Gym Germs

This morning I didn't stick to my original plan of working out at 5:30 am. Luckily, preschool doesn't start until next week, so working out at 9 am was still an option. I skipped the class, and did my own cardio session followed by some strength training.

While at the gym, I always carry around at least a towel and water bottle. Not having a towel drives me crazy! I have to have it to wipe off the gallons of sweat pouring out of my body. I sweat. I wipe. I set the towel down for a few seconds, complete another exercise, pick up the towel, and repeat. For some reason, I totally grossed myself out today.

I was working with some free weights. I set my water bottle on the floor, and my towel on a workout bench next to me. You know, the incline bench that seats hundreds of nasty, sweaty men as they grunt and press each day? My wet towel was now nicely wedged in the crevice...the nasty-bum-sweat-gathering crevice. Before I gave second thought to the germs now congregating onto my towel, I picked it up, wiped my entire face, then set it back down...this time on top of my water bottle on the gym floor. That's when it hit me. Sweaty, fecal matter could be crawling all over my face. And towel. And water bottle.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm definitely not a germaphobe. My kids eat off the floor at my house, and quite frankly, so do I. I figure they need germs to build up their immune system, so bring it on! But that's my house. I know what's coming in and out, and I personally scrub and disinfect my floors at least every week.

I know they clean the gym equipment, but how often? Definitely not in-between each user. And those benches? I've never seen a wipe down. I'm sure it happens, but not while I'm there. So hopefully I survive the sweaty bum germs contaminating my towel, face, and water bottle. Next time I'll leave the towel home and just use my shirt. Or I'll bring my own disinfecting wipes. Either way, the nasty, sweaty, grunting men at the gym are not those with whom I'd like to share germs. Ewwww.

Are you a germaphobe? Do you think about what germs you're letting into your life and body, or do you think it's okay just to share and share alike when it comes to germs? Am I overreacting here? Discuss.

Will Exercise Make You Fat?

According to the cover story in TIME magazine, exercise won't make you thin. SWEET! Time to throw away my new running shoes, and buy a box of donuts then! Right? The article explains that exercise actually makes us hungrier, so we eat more after than we would had we never worked out. Interesting...but I'm still not convinced.

I'm not a dietician, or a physician. I'm a runner. I'm a daily exerciser. I'm a personal trainer. On occasion, I'm a group fitness instructor. I'm a fit-me-blogger. And I'm a FIRM believer in using exercise as part of a weight management regimen.

It's true that I'm often hungrier after a strenuous workout. And yes--I probably eat more than I would have otherwise. And yes--I often feel entitled to a treat or two or four because I exercised. And yes--I probably often eat more than I actually expend calorie-wise. And yes--even with all the working out I do, I still have some pounds to shed that haven't come off since the birth of Baby #2.

But...I would NEVER give up exercise to solve my weight issues. Just as my body has slowly adapted to running long distances, I know I could train my body (and brain) to eat the right amount of food. I'm healthier, happier, have more energy, and avoid becoming Monster Mom with my regular workouts! And I have seen changes in my body that would NEVER have happened without exercise. So take that, TIME magazine. Don't believe everything you read!

How has exercise helped you in your weight management?

No Sleep + No Exercise = Monster Mom

I'll let you in on a secret that I've mentioned before.
Every so often I'm a mom that none would adore.
Most days I'm patient. I'm loving, secure.
But on occasion I'm NOT! Stay away, or endure.
There's a monster inside that sometimes comes out.
Watch out or she'll yell, she'll hiss, and she'll spout.
She's tired, she's ornery, she's nasty at best.
Please leave her in bed...she obviously needs rest!
If sleep I have gotten, she'll stay hidden away.
But if slept I have not, she's coming to stay.
Even worse, if I haven't had a chance to work out,
the monster creeps in. She's beastly, no doubt.
Don't look at her wrong, and don't spill your water.
And don't leave your toys in her path...she might slaughter!
Stop whining, stop crying, START EATING YOUR FOOD!
Stop fighting at meal time...I'M NOT IN THE MOOD!
Stop clinging, stop begging, start sharing your toys!
Stop screaming, stop yelling...CAN'T HANDLE THE NOISE!
It's time now for bed. Choose a dang book already!
Hurry! Brush your teeth...before I scream nice and steady.
AAAAAAHHHH AAAAAAHHHH! Is the day over yet?
I'm on the verge of doing something I just might regret!
Tomorrow's a new day. A day to start fresh.
But the new day starts NOW with a good night of rest.
And a workout tomorrow...endorphins I need.
I'll pray that the monster stays hidden indeed.
No one likes the yelling. Laughter's preferred to the roar.
So, ha ha, look at that. Milk on my freshly cleaned floor.
And ha! Pretty toys! They're all over the place!
I'm trying so hard to laugh and put on a kind face.
Being a mom is hard work. Harder yet with no sleep.
And without exercise, I'm really a creep.
So to keep us all happy, I devote time to me.
It's not selfish, it's essential. Now GO TO SLEEP! LET ME BE!